Everything that is alive eventually dies, thus death is a part of life. Understanding death can help us to understand and experience life more fully, and it can help us to make appropriate, compassionate responses to death and dying. The question of death, with or without religious guidance, is essentially ethical – what to do in recognition of the fact that we, everyone we love, and everyone who loves us, is going to die. In order to better understand ourselves and others, and the diversity of loss experiences, this course examines how social, cultural, and historical factors influence individuals’ coping responses during loss and the last stage of life. Difficult and controversial health care, end of life, care giving needs, and after life issues are also be explored.

Grade Basis: AL
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0